Event

01/14/09 Edible Film Festival Presents "Pressure Cooker"

NOTE: ONLINE TICKET SALES FOR ALL MADCAP EVENTS STOP AT 4PM OF THE EVENT DAY - PLEASE CALL THE THEATER AT 480 634 5192 FOR TICKET AVAILABILITY - TICKETS ALWAYS SOLD AT THE VENUE'S BOX OFFICE UNTIL FULL CAPACITY.

Filmmakers Mark Becker and Jennifer Grausman follow Mrs. Stephenson as she primes the thirteen students in her kitchen classroom to compete in the annual culinary arts contest for college scholarships. Stephenson's demanding, outspoken, quirky and dedicated. She cares. She yells. She won't accept work or attitude that's 'too ghetto.'

Stephenson coaches her kids about how to dress for their senior prom as well as how to dress the plate they're going to present to the chefs who will judge the contest. And, in a school that suffers from a 40 percent drop out rate, she's stirring her students to succeed. They're hungry for a better life, and she nourishes them.

As a lead character, Stephenson is certainly interesting enough to capture our interest, just as she commands the attention and loyalty of her class.

The kids represent well, too. We have a quarterback hero who's as good at tossing salads as he is at passing a football, a girl who's emigrated from Africa and is determined to take advantage of the amazing opportunities her new country offers her, and another girl who excels in her studies while taking care of a younger handicapped sister. They're great kids, and we wind up rooting for them.

Stephenson and the students are an inspiration. Pressure Cooker is the antithesis of slice and dice!

Students and teachers (with valid ID) receive a $2 discount on the special 6 p.m. showing by entering the discount code STUDENT. Proceeds benefit C-CAP, the Careers in Culinary Arts Program (www.ccapinc.org)

The Edible Film Festival is sponsored by Edible Phoenix Magazine in conjunction with the Permaculture Guilds Market on Mill with showings the second Thursday of each month benefiting a local non-profit organization.